Toledo, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/07/2012 -- As the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) gets under way the Ottawa Hills Green Bears boys baseball team will be looking forward to an action packed season as they try to prevent the two time reigning champions Northwood Rangers from making it three-in-a-row. Despite the fact they have lost all of their pitchers to graduation Green Bears coach Chris Hardman seems optimistic that the six new starters in the team will have no problems stepping up into the varsity class.
Coach Hardman appears to think the Northwood Rangers are still the team to beat even though his own record often ends up with the Green Bears being made favorites, he recently told The Toledo Blade that "You have to give the nod to the defending champs, but I think we'll have a pretty good team." After going (19-7, 8-2 TAAC) the Rangers have also lost a steady senior class but after themselves going (16-15, 7-3) last season the exciting action will surely arrive when the big two meet head to head later in the season.
In addition to welcoming back six seniors the Green Bears will likely be looking towards promising young Scott Tucker (IF/P) to add a touch of class to the defense after his good work last year, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.89 ERA. Even though coach Hardman is playing down talk of being favorites he does think that the Green Bears have worked hard to get to where they are and will be quick on the base paths and sound defensively, although the one area where coach Hardman appears to have questions is with pitching.
According to The Toledo Blade, Hardman said "The kids have worked hard to be good. We are always the favorite. But we haven't won the league in three years." The Ottawa Hills Green Bears and the Northwood Rangers will also be facing some pretty stiff competition with Toledo Christian expected to perform well this year, meaning as the action gets under way the race for the TAAC title should be a three way tussle all season long.
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